The Sacred River

May 26, 2014
Wallace (The Painted Bridge) captures the essence of Victorian-era Egypt in this charming tale of three women, all searching for their freedom. At 23, asthmatic Harriet Heron has long been considered an invalid in her native London. When her breathing problem worsens, she; her mother, Louisa; and her aunt Yael head for Egypt, where they believe the air will be better. Harriet is enchanted to finally see for herself the tombs and other ancient ruins. But during the journey, Louisa’s past and present merge with the arrival of the mysterious Eyre Soane, who is bent on revenge and threatens to reveal Louisa’s deepest, most shameful secret. But he won’t stop there—he also threatens to court the fragile Harriet as part of the price for Louisa’s earlier decisions. And deeply spiritual Yael, upon seeing the terrible poverty in Egypt, makes it her mission to feed the hungry natives and teach them basic childcare skills—but how will the budding revolution affect those plans? Wallace skillfully weaves all three subplots into a lush, original, and page-turning narrative—a lovely armchair journey to an Egypt of long ago.

June 15, 2014

At 23, Harriet Heron has spent her life as a reclusive invalid, unable to breathe the toxic fog of Victorian London. A journey to Egypt for cleaner air will also bring her to places she has studied for years. Accompanying Harriet are her mother, Louisa, and her aunt, Yael. The trip changes the lives of the three women in unexpected ways. Secrets from Louisa's past slowly surface as readers follow plans concocted by Eyre Soane, an artist determined to seduce and abandon Harriet as revenge for Louisa's injury to his family. A devout Christian, Yael comes into her own by setting up a clinic for poor children and soliciting food for their families. She stays in Alexandria to work with the locals while Harriet and Louisa travel south to Luxor. There Harriet gains not only physical strength but intellectual stimulation as she copies wall drawings and inscriptions at the excavations of German Egyptologist Eberhardt Woolfe. VERDICT Although minor characters and subplots sometimes seem sketchy, the trials and transformations of the Herons will engage historical fiction readers. In fact, they may hope that Wallace (The Painted Bridge) will continue some of the relationships set in motion here in a future novel. [For another historical novel about Englishwomen making their way to Egypt, see Sally Beauman's The Visitors.--Ed.]--Kathy Piehl, Minnesota State Univ. Lib., Mankato

Copyright 2014 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

May 15, 2014
A young Victorian woman who is ailing. A proper but worried mother. A spinster aunt sent to chaperone. These three leave London in 1882 aboard the Star of the East, in the hopes that the dry Egyptian air will help 23-year-old Harriet survive her worsening asthma. Harriet has spent her youth as an invalid, her only joy the study of Egyptian hieroglyphics, and, she is determined to see Egypt before she dies. Her mother prefers to stay in the comfort and safety of London but is desperate to keep Harriet alive. Her worries are compounded when the ship turns up a figure from her past, a man who threatens to expose long-buried secrets and bends his malevolent attention toward Harriet. Once in Egypt, Harriet's improved health allows her to assist a German archaeologist who is excavating the tomb of an Egyptian queen, and Aunt Yael discovers a newfound independence, along with a calling to help the poor of Alexandria. This classic tale of a journey that leads to self-discovery is a lovely journey for the reader as well.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2014, American Library Association.)